Florin (It. fiorino), a gold coin first issued in Florence in the 11th century, of about the value of a ducat, bearing an impression on the obverse of a lily, and on the reverse of John the Baptist. It was soon imitated in other cities of Italy and in France and Spain, and in Germany gave origin to the mediaeval Goldgulden and the later Gulden, which are still distinguished by the abbreviation (Fl.). Florin is now the appellation both of gold and silver coins in Europe, which vary in value in different countries. (See Coins.)